Harness



July 8, 1941. R. L. DURHAM HARNESS Filed Aug. s, 1940 Gttornegs i Patented July 8, 1941 UNHTE l STATES PATENT QFFICE l HARNESS y Robert'L. Durham, uena Vista, Va. ApplicationY August 8, 1940, Serial No. 351,821

This invention relates to harness and more particularly to saddle harness. Y -1 Heretofore in the use of riding saddles for horses the saddle has been mounted on the horses back and secured thereon, both against turning movement about the horses -body and against movement lengthwise of the horses back, solely by means of the conventional girth or surcingle attached to the saddle and adjustably secured around the horses belly by the usual buckle or the like. Thus, With this arrangement, maintenance of the saddle in proper position onthe horse when the saddle is in use-is dependent upon the degree of tightness to which the girth is drawn up and secured to bind the saddle and girth against the horses body, and the resulting frictional engagement between these saddle harness parts and the horses body-` which serves to resist movement of the saddle from its adjusted position.

In following the usual practice above-mentioned it frequently happens, especially in -cases where the person saddling the horse is unable-or fails to draw the girth sumciently tightly or'in the case of a round-barreled sleek-coatedhorse, that the saddle turns about the horses body and thus out of proper position on the horses back either as a result of application of the riders entire weight to one side of the saddle as in mounting by means of a stirrup,or as a result of unequal distribution of the weight of the rider on the saddle and stirrups when mountedon the horse. Such turning of the saddle on the `horse in attempting to mount by the stirrup obviously is dangerous because it may result in .a fall for the rider. It is also extremely inconvenient since, unless the rider is able to tighten the girth so that the saddle will not turn when he applies his weight to the stirrup, obviously some means must be found from which the ridermay Amount directly into the saddle Without using the stirrup. This may prove rather serious under certain circumstances as frequently such mounting means are not available.

Turning of the saddle n the horse under the rider after he has mounted, and particularly while the horse is in motion, is verydangerous because of the likelihood of a resulting fall from the horse. In the case of a woman riding side-V saddle, the same danger of a turning saddle and a resulting bad fall is present as where a person rides astride the horse, while the likelihood of the saddle turning when riding side-saddle is probably greater because of the unequal distribution of the riders weight on the saddle. In side-sad#` dle riding the danger of a serious fall is obviously greatly increased should the saddle turn or move upwardly on the side of the horse on which the ridersfeet are located, since in this case the rider would fall over the horse and the riders head and shoulders would receive the full impact of the fall.

The present invention involves the use With an ordinary saddle having a girth of two straps which lead respectively from opposite sides of the cantle, cross under the belly of the horse just to the rear of the girth, and thence pass forward over` the point of the shoulder and again cross on the breast of the horseforward of the shoulder. A check strap connes the two main straps at this last-named point of crossing and leads between the forelegs of the horse to the girth. An equalizing connection leads from the forward portion of the saddle through a sheave on the end of a corresponding strap thence over the neck of the horse-through a sheave on the end of the other strap and thence to the forward portion of the saddle. To maintain the main straps just-mentioned in position where they pass over the point of the shoulder, .adjustable suspender straps are also connected to the forward portion of the saddle and are provided with guide loops in which the main straps are slidably supported and which thus control the position of the main straps on the point of the shoulder. Means are provided to adjust the length of the neck strap with the result of tensioning the entire harness either permanently or temporarily during the act of mounting. An incidental advantage of the arrangement is that it resists the back pull of the saddle during riding up-hill, and thus'assists in maintaining the saddle in its proper position.

, Afurther important feature is the adaptability of the improved saddle harness to different sized horses by the provision of means whereby the harness may be readily and properly adjusted to accommodate it to the size and muscular action of the yparticular horse to which it is applied. Also of importance is the fact that the complete improved saddle harness, which includes the saddle itself, is adapted for use with all types of saddles. Preferably, the parts of the saddle harness serving to secure the saddle in place on the horse are in the form of an attachment provided with means for its ready connection to and disconnection from the'saddle.

Further features of the saddle harness include its light Weight and simplicity, avoidance of undesirable rubbing of harness parts against the withers at 1.

horses skin or interference by the harness with muscle action or any other movement of the horses body, ease of application of the harness to the horse and its removal, and the provision for manual adjustment of the harness at a single point so that the tension in the harness which serves to prevent turning of the saddle may be readily varied. Other objects and advantages will appear later.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawing which discloses a practical embodiment of the invention, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view taken from the left side of the horse and showing the complete saddle harness, including the saddle, arranged and adjusted in position on the horse ready for use;

Fig. 2 is a perspective of the complete harness of Fig. l viewed from the same side and with all of the parts in the same operative position, but with the horse omitted in order to show the harness details;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section through the buckle and strap loop at the front end of the breast strap of the harness as shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse section through one of the pads used at each side of the harness to protect the horses body from undesirable rubbing by the harness.

Referring to the drawing, especially Figs. 1 and 2, the invention is shown for illustrative purposes as applied to an English-type saddle B, although it is applicable to any type of saddle. As appears in Fig. 1, saddle E is mounted on the horses back in the usual normal riding position with the saddle forward on the horses Thus the saddle is arranged in a balanced position on the uppermost part of the horses back so that, as viewed from above, it is located in a central or mid-position transversely of the horses back.

Saddle G includes the usual seat 8, pommel 9, cantle Il, saddle skirts I2, I3, and covered and padded saddle-tree I4. Each stirrup I6 (only one shown) is adjustably suspended from the saddle in the usual manner by its stirrup strap |1 which is attached to the saddle at |8 beneath jockey i9. For sake of clearance, stirrup I6 is shown moved up on its stirrup strap |1 from its` normal position at the lower end of this strap. Attached to the saddle is the usual depending girth 2| which embraces the horses sides and belly 22 as shown in Fig. l. By means of the conventional buckle or other adjustable connection on the girth (not shown), the girth is tightened and secured in the usual manner so as to bind the girth and the saddle as tightly as possible against the horses body, and thus secure saddle .6 in its proper position as rmly as is Ypossible by means of the conventional harness thus far described.

The harness means for positively engaging certain parts of the horses body to firmly anchor the saddle in its proper riding position will now be described. These means primarily comprise duplicate saddle-securing or anchoring body straps 23 and 24 of loop formattached tothe rear portion of the saddle at its opposite sides and extending forwardly about the horses body, and an adjustable loop-type saddle-anchoring or securing neck strap 26 attached to the forward portion of the saddle on opposite sides of the horse and having the forward ends` of body straps 23 and 24 slidably connected thereto by swivel-eye pulleys 21 and 23 on the ends of straps 23 and 24 through which strap 26 extends.

Neck strap 26 is made up of end strap sections 29 and 3| of round cross section and an intermediate strap section 32 of flat cross section. Saddle rings 33 and 34 are secured at directly opposite points to the front portion of the saddle at either side of the horse, preferably by attachment to saddle skirts I2 and |3 or to the covered saddle tree I4 by any suitable means such as riveting. A swivel-eye snap-hook 3G on the rear end of strap section 29 detachably connects it to saddle ring 33. From this point, strap section 29 extends forwardly and downwardly across the horses left or near shoulder, through pulley 21, and thence upwardly on the horses neck Where the front end of strap section 29 adjustably connects with the perforated left end of intermediate strap section 32 by means of a bar buckle 31. The U-shaped strap section 32 straddles the horses neck and is supported thereby, as shown in Fig. 1. On the right or far side of the horse, strap section 32 has a link connection 39 with the front end of strap section 3|. From this point, strap section 3| extends downwardly on the horses neck, through pulley 23, and then upwardly and rearwardly across the horses right or far shoulder. A swivel-eye snaphook 4| on the rear end of strap section 3| de tachably connects it to saddle ring 34.

Saddle rings 42 and 43 are secured at directly opposite points on the saddle cantle at either side of the horse. Body strap 23 comprises a front section 44 and a rear section 4S adjustably connected together by the perforated rear end of strap section 44 and bar buckle 41 on strap section 46. Swivel-eye snap-hook 48 on the rear end of strap section 46 detachably connects it to saddle ring 42. It will be noted that body strap 23 extends from its pulley 21 across the horses chest 49, then across the point of shoulder 5|, upper arm 52 and elbow 53 on the right or far side of the horse, and then passes under the horses belly 22 and upwardly on the horses left or near side to snap-hook 48.

Body strap 24, which is a duplicate of body strap 23, comprises a front section 54 and a rear section 55 adjustably connected together by the perforated rear end of strap section 54 and bar buckle 56 on strap section 55. Swivel-eye snaphook 51 on the rear end of strap section 55 detachably connects it to saddle ring 43. It will be noted that body strap 24 extends from its pulley 28 across the horses chest where it crosses body strap 23 at 58, then across the point of shoulder 5|, upper arm 52 and elbow 53 on the left or near side of the horse, and then passes under the horses belly where it again crosses body strap 23 at 59 and continues upwardly on the horses right side to snap hook 51. Buckle 41 in body strap 23, buckle 56 in body strap 24, and buckle 31 in neck strap 26 serve as means for readily adjusting the harness to accommodate it to different sized horses.

Similarly constructed and arranged, adjustable-length supporting straps 6| and 62 are provided at the horses shoulders for properly supporting from the saddle the portions of body straps 24 and`23, respectively, which pass around the outside of the horses shoulders. Each shoulder strap includes an upper strap section 63 and a lower strap section 64. Strap section 33 has a swivel-eye snap-hook 55 at its upper end to detachably connect it to saddle ring 33 (or 34). Aloop-.bar buckle 61 on the upper end of strap section 64 adjustably connects it to the perforated end of strapsection 63. The lower ends of Yshoulder straps 6|-, 62 are in the yform of loops 69, 18, respectively, Which slidably support body straps 23 and 24, K the latter extending through the loops for free movement therein at all times so as not to interfere with proper movement of straps23 and 24 either during adjustment of the harness or when the horse is in imotion. Thus, by means of buckles 61, 61, the length of shoulder straps 6|62 may be adjusted in order to hold up above the muscle action of each of the horses shoulders or elbows the portions of body straps 23 and 24 which extend around the outside of the horses shoulders. This precludes any hampering of the horses movements by the harness when the horse is in action.

Inorder to avoid undesirable rubbing of body straps 23 and 24 against the horses shoulders there are provided shoulder pads 1| and 12 mounted on body strapsv 24 and 23, respectively, so as to be interposed between said straps and the horses body. `Since these pads are similarly constructed and mounted, only pad 1| will be described. The pad, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, is of elongated formand comprises a thin hard leather outer member or back 13 and a thick felt inner or body layer 14 suitably secured to back 13 and frictionally engaging the horses body. Secured to the outer face of pad back 13, as by rivets 15, is a longitudinal series of spaced traverse sti leather loops16. These loops, between the middle pair of which is located the loop on the lower end of shoulder strap 6| (or 62), are of at form and may be provided in any desired number.

Body straps 23 and 24 extend with a loose iit through the series of loops 16 on the opposite pads 1|, 12 so that straps 23 and 24 are always free toslide back and forth through these loops in contact with the hard leather` backs of the pads. Since pads 1|, 12 Yremain substantially stationary against the horses shoulders at all times, there is thus avoided any objectionable rubbing of body straps 23, 24 against the horses skin when the horse is in motion. Inasmuch as it is clear that the pads may be removed by Withdrawing straps 23, 24 from pad loops 16, diierent length padsmay be readily substituted for different sized horses.

As an additional means for positioning the straps' I may use snap hooks 56 on girth 2| arranged to engage one of a series of square rings 6D, interposed in each of the straps 23 and 24. This detail may be omitted.

An adjustable-length breast strap 18 kis provided for holding dow'n body straps 23, 24 where they cross at 58 (Fig. 1) on the horses chest,A so that these straps cannot ride up and bind around the horses neck so as to shut oi his wind; The rear end of breast strap 18 is anchored to girth 2| by means of a loop 19 thereon through which the girth extends. Strap 18 extends forwardly between the horses forelegs, and at its forward end has an adjustable loop 89 through which extend the crossed body straps 23, 24at 58. Al

buckle 8| provides for adjustment of the length of breast strap 18 and the size of loop 89 in a mannerA which will be clear from inspection of Fig. 3. Buckle 8| has a bottom bar 82 and a top bar 83 between which bars and a center bar 84 the two thicknesses of the upper folded end of breast strap 13 extend. As shown, breast strap A18 is secured in adjusted position in buckle 8| by a pin 85 on center bar 84 which engages any-,desired pair of registered perforations 86V in the folded end of the strap. Thus, it will be clear that, by disengaging strap 18 from pin 85 and sliding the strap through the buckle and then re-engaging pin 85 with the desired pairof registered perforations- 86, the size of loop may be varied and also the overal1 length of breast strap 18 may bechanged according to the-size of the horse so that strap 18 will hold crossedstraps 23,124 at 58 in the proper position on thehorses chest. Y

The complete saddle harness described, including the saddle, is symmetrical in form since its construction is duplicated at opposite sides of the horse, except for the provision of adjusting buckle 31 on neck strap 32. Buckle 31, as explained, provides means for adjusting the overalleffective length of neck strap 32 between its saddle-connecting snap-hooks 36 and 4|. Since the front ends of body straps 23, 24 are slidably connected to neck strap sections 29 and 3| by means of pulleys 21, 28, it Will be seen that adjustment of the length of neck strap 32 at buckle' 31 serves tocontrol the degree of snugness with which saddle-connected neck strap 32 and saddleconnected body straps 23, 24 positively engage and bind against the underlying parts of the 'horses body and thus positively and firmly secure the saddle in its proper position against any possible turning thereof about the horses body either during mounting of the rider by means of the stirrup or after the rider ls mounted. YIt is thus apparent that adjustment of the length of neck strap 32 controls the tension of the system of saddle-connected harness straps 23, 24 and 32 which anchor the saddle in proper position so that, by shortening or lengthening neck strap 32 at buckle 31, the saddle may be secured as firmly asis desired against turning either to the right or to the left. It is also apparent that the rider by taking hold of neck strap 32 at jbuckle 31, when mounting, and applying his weight thereto by the pull in mounting, will temporarily increase the tension in the Saddle harness system so as to further insure that the saddle is held firmly against its tendency to turn caused by the application of the riders weight to the stirrup in mounting.

Maintenance of the saddle in proper position byrtheharness-parts as described above, it will be noted, isentirely independent of girth 2| and its saddle securing function. After he is mounted, the rider may readily secure the saddle as tightly or as looselyin position against turning as he desiresby the single point adjustment involving changing the length of neck strap 32 at buckle 31, the latter being conveniently located to his reach for this purpose. Pulleys 21, 28 permit neck strap sections 29, 3| to slide freely therethrough. This renders' eiective instantly in the harness any adjustment of the length of neck strap 32 at buckle 31 to tighten or loosen the harness, and also serves at all times to automatically equalize on both sides of the saddle the tension of the harness straps 23, 24 and 32 which act to prevent turning of the saddle out of position. Passage of neck strap 32 through pulleys 21, 28 also vkeeps the saddle forward on the horses Withers against the back-pull of uphill riding.

- Thus, with the improved safety harness described there is no possibility of the saddle turning under any circumstances; hence, all danger of the rider having a fall as a result of a turning saddle is eliminated. By releasing the necessary straps, buckles and snaphooks, the saddle-securing harness parts may be readily detached from the saddle and removed from the horse and also equally readily reassembled in operative position on the horse and connected to the saddle to secure it against turning. The harness straps are of leather or other suitable material and maybe of round or flat form at different points asis best suited to their purposes. The various swivel-eye type connections included in the harness serve to prevent undesirable twists from forming in the straps.

While a practical form of the device has been described, various changes therein may be made within the scope of the invention except as the same may be limited by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination of a riding saddle having a girth, a pair of stay straps leading respectively from the rear portion of the saddle in generally opposite directions Linder the belly of a horse to. which the saddle is applied, the straps crossing near said girth and respectively passing thence over the points of opposite shoulders of the horsefto a second point of crossing on the breast `of the horse and beyond saidcrossing terminating in corresponding retaining loops for an equalizing strap; and an equalizing strap connected with the forward portion of the saddle at one side, passing thence through one of said loops over the neck of the horse through the other of said loops, and thence to a point of attachment with the forward portion of the saddle at the opposite side from the iirst point of attachment.

2. The combination of a riding saddle having a girth, a -pair of stay straps leading respectively from the rear portion of the saddle in generally opposite directions under the belly of a horse to which the saddle is applied, the straps crossing nearvsaid girth-and respectively passing thence over .the points of opposite shoulders of the horse to a second point of crossing on the breast of the horse and beyond said crossing terminating in corresponding retaining loops for an equalizing strap; an equalizing strap connected with the forward portion of the saddle at one side, passing thence through one of said loops over the neck of the horse through the other of said loops, and thence to a point of attachment with the forward `portion of the saddle at the opposite side from the rst point of attachment; and means Vfor adjusting the length of said equalizing strap. l

3. The combination of a riding saddle having a girth, a pair of stay straps leading respectively from the rear portion of the saddle in generally opposite directions under the belly of a horse to which the saddle is applied, the straps crossing near said girth and respectively passing thence over the points of opposite shoulders of the horse to a second point of crossing on the breast of the horse and beyond said crossing terminating in corresponding retaining loops for an equalizing strap; an equalizing strap connected with the forward portion of the saddle at one side, passing thence through one of said loops over the neck of the horse through the other. of said loops, and (thence to a point of attachment with the forward portion of the saddle at the opposite side from the first point of attachment; and a strap connected with the girth and leading forward therefrom between the forelegs of the horse and terminating in a loop encircling said stay straps attheir point of crossing on the breast of the horse.

4. The combination of a riding saddle having a girth, a pair of stay straps leading respectively from the rear portion of the saddle in generally opposite directions under the belly of a horse to which the saddle is applied, the straps crossing near said girth and respectively passing thence over the points of opposite shoulders of the horse to a second point of crossing on the breast of the horse and beyond said crossing terminating in corresponding retaining loops for an equalizing strap; an equalizing strap connected with the forward portion of the saddle at one side, passing thence through one of said loops over the neck of the horse through the other of said loops, and thence to a point of attachment with the forward portion of the saddle at the opposite side from the rst point of attachment; a -pail of pads each adapted to be positioned on the point of a corresponding shoulder of the horse; confining guides on the pads through which the respective stay straps pass between their two points of crossing; and suspender straps -for sustaining said stay straps and said pads from the saddle.

5. The combination of a riding saddle having a girth, a lpair of stay straps leading respectively from the rear yportion of the saddle in generally opposite direction under the belly of a horse to which the saddle is applied, the straps crossing near said girth and respectively passing thence over the points of opposite shoulders of the horse to a second point of crossing .on the breast of the horse and beyond said crossing terminating in corresponding retaining loops for an equalizing strap; an equalizing strap connected with the forward portion of the saddle at one side, lpassing thence through one of said loops over the neck of the horse through the other of said loops, and thence to a point of attachment with the forward portion of the saddle at the opposite side from the first point of attachment; a strap connected with the girth and leading forward therefrom between the forelegs of the horse and terminating in a loop encircling said stay straps at their point of crossing on the breast of the horse; a pair of pads each adapted to be positioned on the point of a corresponding shoulder of the horse; conning guides on the pads through which the respective stay straps pass between their two points of crossing; and suspender straps for sustaining said stay straps and said pads from the saddle.

6. The combination of a riding saddle having a girth, a pair of stay straps leading respectively from the rear portion of the saddle in generally opposite directions under the belly of a horse to which the saddle is applied, the straps crossing near said girth and respectively passing thence over the points of opposite shoulders of the horse to a second point of crossing on the breast of the horse and beyond said crossing terminating in corresponding retaining loops for an equalizing strap; means for connecting each of said straps with said girth; and an equalizing strap connected with the forward portion of the saddle at one side, passing thence through one of said loops over the neck of the horse through the other of said loops, and thence toa point of at tachment with the forward portion of the saddle at the opposite side from the rst point of attachment.

7. The combination of a riding saddle having a girth, a pair of stay straps leading respectively from the rear portion of the saddle in generally opposite directions under the `belly of `a horse Do neck of the horse through the other of said loops, and thence to a point of attachment with the forward portion of the saddle at the opposite side from the first point of attachment; 'and a strap connected with the girth and leading forward therefrom between the forelegs of the horse and terminating in a loop encircling said stay straps Y at their point of crossing on the breast of the horse.

ROBERT'L. DURHAM. 

